Mike Stobe/Getty Images for NASCARTed Christopher holds the traditional bottle of milk that goes to the winner of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour's Spring Sizzler. Christopher won the event May 1 at Stafford Motor Speedway.Not a week delay, the ninth starting spot nor a green-white-checkered finish could deter Ted Christopher from doing what he does best.
Christopher, of Plainville, Conn., showed why he has won more races than anyone at Stafford Motor Speedway by holding off a late challenge from Bobby Santos to win the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Spring Sizzler last Saturday.

In his illustrious career, “T.C.” has taken the checkered flag more than 100 times at Stafford across several divisions and series.

It was clear early on, when Christopher posted the fastest lap in the final practice session, that the No. 36 car would be one to beat. He picked his way through the field gradually before finally taking the lead from Jimmy Blewett on lap 146 of 200. However, a late caution set up an attempt to finish the race under the green flag.

When another crash occurred after the leaders began the final lap, the field was frozen and Christopher took the win under the yellow flag. It was his 10th WMT win at Stafford and third straight (fifth overall) in the prestigious Spring Sizzler, breaking a tie with Mike Stefanik for the most ever.

MORE SIZZLE: Stafford’s weekly divisions also were busy last weekend, with action on both Friday and Saturday.

In the pre-Sizzler races on Saturday, Keith Rocco and Dillon Moltz won the SK Modified and Late Model features, respectively. Three Western Massachusetts drivers were in the top 10 in the Late Models – East Longmeadow’s Tom Fearn (fourth), Belchertown’s Adam Gray (seventh) and Wilbraham’s Dr. John Kasper (eighth).

The Friday show featured longer races than are normally scheduled. The top local finisher was Montgomery’s Kyle Spencer, who came in fourth in the 30-lap SK Lights event. The winners were Frank Cardile (SK Lights), Dan Flannery (Limited Late Models) and Kyle Casagrande (DARE Stocks).

WHOOPS: Todd Bertrand might still have won his 270cc feature on opening night at Whip City Speedway, but it would have been more of a challenge had his nearest pursuer not run out of fuel. Bertrand cruised to victory last Saturday after Mark Irving’s tank ran dry halfway through the event.

“That’s what happens when you fall in love and get engaged,” Irving joked after the race. “You forget to put fuel in the racecar.”